"No one, no one should sleep outside. We're better than that." (Rob McCann, Executive Director, Catholic Charities, quoted in "Respite from Chilly Nights - Spokane shelters will be open overnight all winter," by Rachel Alexander and Kip Hill, The Spokesman-Review, November 2, 2016)

Warming Centers 2017. Regardless of the temperature, warming shelters will be open to provide emergency housing for those living on the streets. Shelters pack in as many homeless people as they can, so they have a warm, safe place to sit or stand.

Individuals and Couples:House of Charity32 W. Pacific Ave.Spokane, WA (509) 624-7821Hours: open 24 hours(200 beds on the main floor, plus 109 beds for men upstairs)Homeless Men and Women only.Children are NOT allowed. Pets are welcome, as long as they do not disrupt others.

Families:Open Doors(Family Promise of Spokane)631 S. Richard Allen CourtSpokane, WA(south Perry district)Day Shelter ONLY for families with children up to age 18. As of June 5, 2017 - They will offer 24/7 Emergency Shelter. Prior to that date, they are only open 7:30 am - 7:30 pm. Homeless families with children are taken to the Salvation Army to sleep from 7:30 pm to 7:30 am.

Families:Salvation Army Homeless Families Safe Center204 E. Indiana Avenue Spokane, WA 99207(509) 329-2755Hours: 7:30 pm - 7:30 am(wheelchair accessible) Serving homeless families with children ONLY (not couples or single adults)Maximum capacity: 30 individuals, including the childrenDuring the day, these families go to Family Promise Day Center. Single children (teens) may go to Crosswalk. The City of Spokane provides funding for Spokane's Warming Center. For more information, contact Community Housing and Human Services: http://www.spokanechhs.org/

Couch Surfing. Many of the homeless do not utilize our shelters. Instead, they are staying with friends—“couch surfing” or trying to survive on the streets or in tent camps.

Risk of Hypothermia. Cold environments can lead to hypothermia,
depending on a person's age, body mass, body fat, overall health, and
length of time exposed to cold temperatures. A frail, older adult,
infants and babies sleeping in the cold are at risk for developing mild
hypothermia.

The homeless need to be off the street to be protected. There are no walls or door locks on a cardboard box. Shelters, beds and affordable housing help curtail violent attacks against the homeless. That being said, some shelters can also be violent and tough places. When people choose to go outside, it’s a very difficult choice to make.

In 2015, Spokane provided one Warming Center from
November 2015 through the end of February 2016. That center took in
nearly 1,000 unduplicated individuals, and a record night brought in 168
people.

What You Can Do

Volunteer for a warming center shift. Those who volunteer in homeless shelters soon learn that many of the homeless are vets who fought in Desert Storm, Iraq, Vietnam, and Afghanistan. If more people paused and got to know homeless people, they would be amazed at some of the stories they would find. (NOTE: Volunteers can sign up on the Family Promise website at http://www.familypromiseofspokane.org/)

Donate to Family Promise's Open Door Emergency Shelter for families: Cleaning supplies, paper towels, TP, baby wipes, gas cards, bus passes. NO clothes please. Drop items off at 631 S. Richard Allen Court. (Please ring the doorbell "for Guests" on the west side of the building.)